A bit morbid . What would happen in the event of my death?

[wildcat45]

This is prompted by the discovery in some of my late fathers business papers a wallet A5 sized entitled something like "My Affairs In Order.". Judging by the names and addresses of contacts it contains, it dates from the late 1960s or early '70s.

My dad travelled a lot and the wallet is more or less who he is, and who to contact in the event of his death, or serious injury. His name, address, number, name of my mum, her sister, his parents and siblings in the states, his employer, his company chairman, company lawyer, passport number.

A gift to an identity thief, but not so much a problem back then.

It got me thinking morbid thoughts. My wife and I are often away from our home address, quite a lot of our time is spent in Scotland and driving.

If we both died in a crash -we have no kids - the police would work out where we lived. But there would be nobody there. My wife has my surname, but I suppose her maiden name must be on records somewhere. How would they find her family?

I have no family in the UK that shares my surname now my folks have died. Not that I am close or would want those buggers anywhere near me. The family I care about are scattered across the continental USA and all have different surnames.

I suppose mobile phones would yield the info, but with hundreds of contacts not alluding to any family membership, how would they find anyone?

This must be a sad and commin tast Police have to perform. How do they do it? Is it that common?

[trickywoo]

I'd be happy to give you my details for your will.

[8Ace]

NeMiSiS said:

You would stop breathing.

You'd be in the ground. Sure it'd be bad news for you, but on the other hand, it'd be party time for all those little worms.

[tribbles]

8Ace said:

You'd be in the ground. Sure it'd be bad news for you, but on the other hand, it'd be party time for all those little worms.

I'd prefer chicken.

I would imagine they could trace you via your number plate.

And then pass it on to those inheritance hunter people.

[T0nup]

So have a ALT ICE in your mobile or wallet. Sure you have a trusted friend or two, and advise them of an envelope containing all the details of family else where you have at home.

[wildcat45]

ALT ICE seems like a plan. I may be dead but I'm not going to be happy with my English side of my family being involved.

Fortunately the wills are covered, and fortunately for my Sis in Law on my wife's side, and my lifelong best pal on my side there would be a hefty insurance pay out property and other stuff coming their way.

I have the same arrangement with him. In the sad event of his passing I get a fantastic guitar collection, a music library of rock and blues to die for (well he would) and a rather pleasant house in a charming village.

But how do the police trace people's families?.

[Impasse]

wildcat45 said:

But how do the police trace people's families?.

I'm not sure I'd be expecting them to do any detailed searching once it had been established you have no dependents. Zip up the bag and close the book.

[Davie_GLA]

I have an ICE in my phone (cos i'm a biker and they all die young, right)?

But, i also have a pin code on my phone - how do plod get that then?

[AndrewEH1]

Davie_GLA said:

I have an ICE in my phone (cos i'm a biker and they all die young, right)?

But, i also have a pin code on my phone - how do plod get that then?

Got an Android phone?

In the security settings you can add 'Owner's Information' to the lock screen. Put your ICE contact there.

[Davie_GLA]

AndrewEH1 said:

Got an Android phone?

In the security settings you can add 'Owner's Information' to the lock screen. Put your ICE contact there.

Cool. Didn't know that.

[P-Jay]

Davie_GLA said:

I have an ICE in my phone (cos i'm a biker and they all die young, right)?

But, i also have a pin code on my phone - how do plod get that then?

A PIN might stop your Wife seeing your phone browsing history or seeing who you text, but it's not exactly rocket surgery to break if you've got the time / resources - I would imagine your nearest regional Police station will have someone who could access it reasonably quickly.

In regards to the OP, the Police will want you identified to make sure you haven't murdered your next door neighbour and dumped his body in your car before setting fire to it - once they're reasonably happy it's you - they'll put so much effort into finding out your next of kin - but if you've been killed alone with your wife and there's no one else obvious to contact you'll end up with a £399 Co-Op paupers funeral and your details will be published (I forget where) then one of the inheritance agencies might pick it up - they'll search for your next of kin in return for a percentage of your estate - if no one claims it within a certain timescale your estate is passed to the crown (I think, might have changed) who'll settle it, any excess after debts are paid goes to HMRC.

[S10GTA]

I cycle lots, and have one of these just incase https://www.onelifeid.com/

[WinstonWolf]

AndrewEH1 said:

Davie_GLA said:

I have an ICE in my phone (cos i'm a biker and they all die young, right)?

But, i also have a pin code on my phone - how do plod get that then?

Got an Android phone?

In the security settings you can add 'Owner's Information' to the lock screen. Put your ICE contact there.

You can also activate Siri on an iPhone and say ICE and it will show you the ICE contact and any notes you've left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqt-HurBDwM

[AndrewEH1]

S10GTA said:

I cycle lots, and have one of these just incase https://www.onelifeid.com/

Seems like a good idea, buy a few stickers and pop them on your phone/bicycle/motorbike/car.

[S10GTA]

AndrewEH1 said:

S10GTA said:

I cycle lots, and have one of these just incase https://www.onelifeid.com/

Seems like a good idea, buy a few stickers and pop them on your phone/bicycle/motorbike/car.

They are. I went for a wristband like this https://www.onelifeid.com/page/id_wristbands#STEAL...

It has a url and a mobile number on it (for my mum) along with a QR code. On the back is a pin, which gives you access to my emergency details (3 family members incase mother doesn't answer) and any medical conditions.

I figured sometimes I can be 60 miles from home with only a locked phone. If I had an accident nobody would know who I was or where I was from until I was reported missing.